Combination broom and dust pan



April 17, 1962 D. SICULAN COMBINATION BROOM AND DUST PAN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 24. '1958 i iii iiYiiliiiiiiii iiiiiiliiiliiiili liliiiiiiiiiiiiiii' iiiliiiiliiii iiii April 17, 1962 D. SICULAN 3,029,455

COMBINATION BROOM AND ousw PAN Filed Feb. 24, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet Z INVENTOR.

Daniel S/cu/an BY M725,

' Afiys.

3,029,455 Patented Apr. 1 7, .1 962 3,029,455 CGMBINATIGN BROOM AND DUST PAN Daniel Siculan, 2223 Allison St., Glenview, Ill.

Filed Feb. 24, 195i Ser. No. 717,250 9 Claims. (Cl. -159) This invention relates to a combination collapsible broom and dust pan structure. More particularly, it relates to a collapsible broom structure and cooperating dust pan forming a small compact package requiring a minimum of storage space.

Although the broom and the dust pan are often used together, it is not an uncommon experience to be able to find one and not the other. Even though these devices are ordinarily stored in the same place, the various types now available are not designed for any type of attachment to each other which will tend to keep them together. In addition, brooms with their long rigid handles require substantial storage space.

It is an object of this invention to provide a broom having a novel collapsible handle, which in collapsed position is enclosed within the broom portion itself.

Still another object is to provide a combination broom having a novel collapsible handle, which in collapsed position is enclosed within the broom portion itself.

Still another object is to provide a combination broom and dust pan structure including a broom with a collapsible handle and a dust pan shaped to conform to the exterior of the broom together with means for attaching the pan to the broom for storage.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

In order that the invention may be better understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which FIGURE 1 is a view in elevation of one face of a broom embodying features of the present invention and showing the handle in extended position;

FIGURE 2 is a view in perspective of the other face of the broom showing the dust pan hung in attached position thereon and the handle collapsed within the broom structure;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 with the straw portion of the broom removed and parts broken away to show the interior of the broom head;

FIGURE 4 is a view in elevation showing separately the three parts which make up the collapsible handle of the broom;

FIGURE 5 is a view in perspective of the dust pan;

FIGURE 6 is a view in perspective of the strap member for securing the broom straws to the broom head;

FIGURE 7 is a central vertical cross-section view through the broom; and

FIGURE 8 is a view in elevation showing the'broom straws prior to assembly on the broom head.

The broom designated generally 10, as best seen in FIGURES 3 and 7, comprises a head portion 12, the top 14 of which is generally oval in shape, as shown, and is formed preferably integrally with a depending skirt 16 which curves slightly inwardly from top to bottom as shown. The bottom member 18 secured to the lower edge of the skirt 16 is formed with a series of prongs 20 spaced around its entire periphery and extending outwardly to en age the broom straws 22 as shown to aid in supporting the straws on the head 12.

The broom straws 22, which may be of any desired type including not only the natural broom straw but also straws formed of plastic and the like, are secured together in the usual way by a plurality of rows of stitching 24 and 26 which hold the straws together and aid in securing them on the head 12. As best seen in FIGURE 8, the straws are secured together by the stitching 24 and 26 in the fiat before being mounted on the head 12. When they have been properly stitched as indicated, the upper stitched portion is positioned about the skirt 16 as shown in FIG- URE 7 and the two free ends of the body of straws are brought together. The straws are then secured in position on the head by a resilient strap member 28 (FIGURE 6). As may be seen, the strap is formed with means for securing its free ends together such as the button 30 and the slot '32 and is formed of such length that when the ends are so secured together about the broom straws, the strap 28 holds them firmly against the skirt 16, thereby securing them in place.

A hood member 34 which is secured to the head 12 extends down about this head to cover the upper ends of the straws 22 and provide the broom with an atractive appearance. Preferably the skirt portion of the hood 34 will terminate just above the prongs 20 to permit ready insertion of the straws 22 into their proper position on the head 12. The upper portion of the hood 34, which is preferably shaped in the same way as the broom heads" heretofore known, is provided with means to receive a hook or similar support on which the broom may be hung for storage. Such means may be provided, for example, by a small upstanding .ear such as the ear 36, having an opening 38 therethrough to receive a hook.

Referring new again to the head portion 12, it will be noted that there is a vertically extending tubular member 40 located centrally of the head 12 and extending between the top 14 and the bottom 18 of the head 12 through openings 42 and 44 formed therein. This tubular member 40 which is firmly secured to the head 12 serves -to receive the collapsible handle members as hereinafter described. As best, seen in FIGURES 2 and 7, the hood 34 has an enlarged opening 46 positioned in alignment with the tube 40 to permit the collapsiblehandle members to extend therethrough.

The collapsible handle for the broom designated generally 48 is formed of a plurality of telescoping tubular members, preferably 3, as shown in FIGURE 4. The three handle members which, as shown, telescope within each other consist of a lower member 50 having the largest diameter, an intermediate member '52 which is slightly smaller so that it may be received in telescopic relation within the bottom member 50 and a third or upper member 54, which, in turn, is still smaller so that itmay be received in the intermediate member 52. Each of these handle members 50, 52, and-54 as well as the tubular guide 40 are tapered very slightly outwardly from top to bottom and are so proportioned that, for example, the lower 1" of the upper handle member 54 is too large to pass beyond the upper l" of the interior of the intermediate member 52 so that when these portions coincide or substantially coincide, the lower end of the tube 54 is snugly received and firmly held or wedged in the upper end of .thetube 52 when the handle is extended for use. Similarly, the lower end of the tube 52 and the upper end of the tube .50 are proportioned to provide a like snug fit between these two members in the extended position of the handle. Lastly, the lower end of the bottom handle member 50 and the interior of the tube 40 are also similarly proportioned to provide a snug fit between these parts when they coincide in the extended position of the handle.

Secured to the bottom of the lower handle member '50 is an expansion member 56 having generally the shape of an inverted tub. As shown, the lower edge of the expansion member 56 has essentially the same configuration as the bottom 18 of the head 12 but is slightly larger in size permits them to contract again into a generally vertical position when the handle member 50 is lowered or telescoped into its contracted position. This serves to decrease the storage space required for the broom While at the same time gives it a desired shape in use. The member 56 in addition, by engaging with the bottom 18 of the head 12, serves as a stop for the upward movement of the lower handle member 50. 7

By reason of their configuration as above described, the handle members 50, 52 and 54 may be assembled into telescopic relation in any desired order by inserting the top of the one handle member into the bottom of the next lower handle member. When they have been so assembled in telescoping relation, a slightly tapered pin 58 is press fitted into a pair of oppositely disposed openings 60 and 62 in the lower end of the member 50 to prevent the handle members from becoming disassembled. This assembly may then be in turn inserted upwardly through the tubular member to assemble the handle with the broom portion. To secure the handle in assembled relationship, a resilient ring 64 which has an inwardly projecting annular rib 66 is passed down over the upper end of the handle member 50 until the rib 66 enters the corresponding annular groove 68 formed adjacent the upper end of handle member 50.

The upper handle member 54 is pinched inwardly adjacent its upper end as at 70 to provide a finger gripping portion 72 which can be used to pull the handle out into extended position. Preferably, the three handle members 50, 52, and 54 are formed in such lengths relative to each other that in the completely telescopic position the member 52 extends just a short distance above the lower member 50 and the finger gripping portion 72 of the upper handle member 54 extends a short distance above the upper end of the intermediate handle section 52.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 2 and 5, it will be seen that the dust scoop designated generally 74 is formed preferably in one piecewith a broad, generally flat, base portion 76 to receive the dust, dirt or other debris. From a generally straight front edge 78 over which the dust, etc. is received, the sides of the base 76 extend rearwardly in generally straight lines tapering slightly toward each other and merge with a generally semi-circular rear edge. A portion of the material of which the dust pan or scoop 76 is formed is turned up along the sides of the base 76 as at 80 and 82 and around the rear as at 84 to provide a wall for retaining the material which is gathered on the scoop.

To facilitate gripping of the scoop 74, a rearwardly extending handle member 86 is formed centrally of the upper edge of the rear wall 84. This handle member terminates in a portion 88 reversely bent upon itself which not only serves to facilitate gripping of the dust pan 74 but which also provides means for attaching the dust pan to the broom hood 34 for storage purposes. A slot 0 formed in the top of the hood 34, preferably opposite the ear 36, receives the reversely bent portion 88 to support the scoop 74 on the broom 10. It will be observed particularly in FIGURE 2 that the base 76 and the sides 80 and 82 of the scoop are of such size and shape as to conform to the straws 22 of the broom 10 when the pan 74 hangs in its storage position on the broom.

The use of the broom and pan will be readily apparent from the above description. With the handle 48 in contracted position and the pan 74 hanging on the broom as shown in FIGURE 2, a comparatively small assembly is provided which requires only slight storage space on a wall where it may be hung at a convenient height on a hook which extends through the opening 38 in the ear 36. When it is desired to make use of the broom, it is removed from storage position and by grasping the portion 72 of the handle, the handle is readily pulled out to the position shown in FIGURE 1 in which the handle 48 is fully extended and the expansion member 56 engages the base 18 to spread or flare out the straws 22.

The snug fit between the overlapping ends of the handle members 50, 52 and 54 and between the member 54 and the tube 40 maintains the handle in the extended or operating position until force is applied between the upper end 72 of the handle and the head 12 to push the handle toward its contracted position. If desired, the dust pan 74 may be removed from the broom before the broom is used for sweeping or, in the alternative, may be allowed to remain in its position hanging on the broom hood 34 during the sweeping operation until it is actually needed to receive the dust, etc. which is being swept up.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with particular respect to a broom of appropriate size for sweeping the floor when in a standing position, it will be apparent that the invention is also applicable to brooms or brushes of smaller size, including toy structures suitable for use by children and also brooms of the size which are commonly known as whisk brooms. For the smallest broom structures, the upper two telescoping handle members 52 and 54 may be omitted if desired and a finger gripping portion may be provided on the upper end of the lower handle member 50. Otherwise the structure will be substantially as described above except that it may be on a smaller scale.

It will also be obvious that the dust pan may be formed in a variety of difierent shapes for either utilitarian or decorative reasons and may be attached to the broom 10 in any desired way for storage. Likewise the hood structure 34 is susceptible to various modifications for decorative or utilitarian purposes. While it is convenient and preferable to attach the broom straws 22 to the head 12 as described above, this is likewise susceptible to modification within the scope of the invention. The various parts of the broom other than straws 22 may be formed of any desired material including particularly plastics and light or thin metals.

It is apparent that many widely different embodiments to this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and, therefore, it is not intended to be limited except as is indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A broom structure comprising a head member and a collapsible handle mounted thereon, a body of straws secured at one end on said head and extending downwardly therefrom and terminating in a plurality of free sweeping ends, said downwardly extending straws forming the side walls of a chamber located beneath said head, said head having an opening therethrough communicating with said chamber and said handle being slidably mounted on said head member to slide in said opening and shift from an extended operating position to a collapsed position in which it is located substantially within said head and chamber.

2. A broom structure as described in claim 1 in which the lower end of said handle within said chamber has secured thereon an expansion member having dimensions laterally of the handle which are greater than the corresponding dimensions of said chamber when said handle is in collapsed position and which in the operating position of said handle is located in said chamber adjacent said head to urge the said free ends of the straws out wardly into a flared position and in the collapsed position of said handle is remote from said head.

3. A broom structure as described in claim 1 in which the said handle comprises a plurality of telescoping sections.

4. A broom structure as described in claim 1 in which means is provided on the head to cooperate with the free end of a hook extending from a vertical surface to support said structure in an elevated position on said vertical surface.

5. A broom structure as described in claim 1 in which the said handle member comprises a plurality of telescoping sections tapered and dimensioned to provide wedging connections in the extended position of the handle between adjoining handle sections and between the head and lower handle section.

6. A broom structure as described in claim 1 in which the said handle member comprises a plurality of telescoping sections tapered and dimensioned to provide wedging connections in the extended position of the handle between adjoining handle sections and between the head and lower handle section and in which the lower end of the lower section of said handle within said chamber has secured thereon an expansion member having dimensions laterally of the handle which are greater than the corresponding dimensions of said chamber when said handle is in collapsed position and which in the extended operating position of said handle is located in said chamber adjacent said head to urge the said free ends of the straws outwardly into a flared position and in the collapsed position of said handle is remote from said head.

7. A broom structure as described in claim 2 in which the said handle member comprises a plurality of telescoping sections.

8. A broom structure as described in claim 2 in which said handle member comprises a plurality of telescoping sections and is of sufficient length when extended to enable a user to employ it to sweep a floor in a standing position.

9. A broom structure comprising a head member and collapsible handle mounted thereon, said head member being of generally oval shape and having a plurality of outwardly projecting spaced apart prongs about its lower periphery, a body of straws of approximately equal length arranged in generally parallel relationship with their opposite ends generally coinciding and secured together in the form of a relatively thin elongated body by a plurality of rows of stitching extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the straws adjacent one set of the straw ends and leaving the other ends of the straws free to provide sweeping ends, said body of straws being secured about said oval head with the opposite ends of said rows of stitching juxtaposed and with said prongs projecting into the body of straws below said rows of stitching and being secured in position on said head by means resiliently pressing the said sewed ends against the outer verti'cal surface of said head with the free ends of the straws extending downwardly from the head, the said downwardly extending straws forming the side walls of a chamber located beneath the head, said head having an opening therethrough communicating with said chamber, said handle being slidably mounted on said head member to slide in said opening and shift from an extended operating position to a collapsed position in which it is located substantially within said head and chamber and comprising a plurality of telescoping sections, the lowermost of which within said chamber has secured on its bottom end an expansion member having dimensions laterally of the handle which are greater than the corresponding dimensions of said chamber when said handle is in collapsed position and which in the operating position of said handle is located in said chamber adjacent said head to urge the said free ends of the straws outwardly into a flared position and in the collapsed position of said handle is remote from said head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 126,677 Conger May 14, 1872 148,278 Anderson Mar. 10, 1874 758,082 Lamb Apr. 26, 1904 861,262 Chanavas July 30, 1907 1,300,884 Schwertz Apr. 15, 1919 1,359,690 Garvey Nov. 23, 1920 1,951,023 Josselyn Mar. 13, 1934 2,255,715 Samms Sept. 9, 1941 2,553,727 Schlutz May 22, 1951 TATES PATENT OFFICE UNITED S CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION April 11, 1962 Patent No. 3,029,455

Daniel Siculan certified that error appears in the above numbered pat- Letters Patent should read as that the said corrected below.

lines 23 to 25, strike out "Still another vide a combination broom having a novel wh'ch in collapsed position is enclosed n itself).

Column 1, object is to pro collapsible handle, within the broom pox-t1 Signed and sealed this 7th day of August 1962.

DAVID L. LADD Attest:

Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer 

